Page 27 - It's a Rum Life Book 3 "Ivy House Tales 1970 to 1984"

CHAPTER 4

THE GIRDLE AT GATWICK AIRPORT and AFTERWARDS.

This tale includes the how and why Firestone and I eventually parted company.
In 1970 and 1971 Firestone Lincoln District office topped the regional sales competitions
and consequently the salesmen were due to luxury holidays abroad.

In 1969 as you will remember from Book Two, Ruth and I went sailing at Salcombe all
expenses paid by Firestone due to the same sort of thing.

These last two years the holidays were in the Canary Islands, January was the time, no
doubt as the accommodation was at bargain basement prices knowing the American
Management. 1970 was to Gran Canaria and most enjoyable, quiet for us both as we
avoided the crowds of smooth talking (brown nosed) fellow staff who seemed determined
to spend all their time with senior management.

We did very much enjoy the organised coach excursions particularly, together with our
own exploration of the town to see more of how local life really was.

By 1971, I was more easy going with my attitude as Lincoln Office and my boss Fred
Popham in particular had been on the receiving end of unpleasant and upsetting
interfierence from London.
As none of us were prepared to bow down to Head office suicidal management decisions,
we could see that this would be the last time we would be in receipt of any 'goodies'!

The first good thing about this holiday was meeting Ken and his wife Barbara at Gatwick.

Ken had been the first
Firestone Retail Store
Manager at Lincoln and been
transferred to Dover where
we had lost touch.

Ken was a long time
Firestone employee, and no
fan of senior management
either. We consequently
spent virtually all the holiday
together.
On organised outings, we
were always on the 'second'
coach. This was far more
comfortable with only about
10 passengers, the vast
majority having crushed in
with senior management on
the first!

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